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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Technical product designer (Technischer Produktdesigner/in)

Technischer Produktdesigner / Technische Produktdesignerin

You design machines and products with CAD software and prepare the documents for manufacturing: a paid 42-month training in a design office and at vocational school.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3.5 years42 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,119 to €1,441gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a technical product designer does

They design machines, plant or products to the customer's wishes, create 3D models, choose materials and standard parts, then produce drawings, parts lists and assembly plans.

Design

Use CAD to create precise models of machines, plant or products, following standards.

Dimension

Choose materials and standard parts, calculate and plan for economical manufacturing.

Document

Produce drawings, parts lists and assembly plans, manage versions and back up the data.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you like drawing, building and picturing objects in three dimensions
you are precise and careful in your drawings and calculations
you want to understand how machines work
you like working at a screen, in contact with customers and workshops

Less suitable if…

you do not want to spend the day at a screen
you dislike calculations and the rigour of standards
you mainly want manual work in a workshop

Advantages

Paid from the first year
A technical job combining drawing, calculation and creativity
Certificate recognised throughout Germany
Two possible specialisations within the same occupation

Difficulties

A lot of time spent at a screen
Calculations, standards and accuracy are very demanding
German technical vocabulary to master
CAD software to learn and keep up with

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:00

Meeting with the design teamReview current projects, change requests and the priorities of the day.

08:45

Freehand sketchingSketch a part by hand to clarify an idea before moving on to modelling.

10:00

Modelling the part in 3D CADBuild the part in 3D, taking into account the material and how it will be manufactured.

13:00

Calculations and choosing componentsCalculate the forces, select standard parts and check that the solution is economical.

14:30

Drawings and parts listsProduce the manufacturing drawing, parts list and assembly plan to send to the workshop.

16:00

Managing versionsSave the new version of the model, update the documents and back up the data.

Technical skills

2D and 3D CADStandardised technical drawingDesign calculationsMaterial selectionParts lists and assembly plansProduct data management

Personal qualities

PrecisionSpatial senseLogicCustomer focusRigour

The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

The fundamentals

≈ €1,119gross / month

Technical drawings and sketches
CAD basics
Materials and manufacturing processes

Year 2

Design

≈ €1,197gross / month

Designing parts and subassemblies
Calculations and simulations
Part 1 of the final exam

Year 3

The specialisation

≈ €1,316gross / month

Designing machines or products
Choosing manufacturing processes
Projects with customers

Year 4 (6 months)

Towards the exam

≈ €1,441gross / month

A complete design project
Manufacturing documents
Part 2 of the final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale des rémunérations tarifaires. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

The final exam (Abschlussprüfung) has two parts. Part 1, towards the end of the second year, covers technical documents. Part 2, at the end of training, comprises a work assignment, development and design, then economics and social studies. You obtain the IHK final certificate from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.

German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitnessThe work is mainly screen-based in offices, with visits to production halls where machine noise is present.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayDraughtsperson in a design officeWork in industry, in a design office or for an industrial services provider.

With experienceTechnician (Techniker)Train as a mechanical engineering technician through further training.

Longer termStudies or own design officeWith university entrance qualification: a bachelor's in mechanical engineering; or set up a design office.

Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Industry, metalworking and mechanics” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Technical product designer (Technischer Produktdesigner/in)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Need assistance

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses

Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

Stay informed

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure

Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure

Flyer

FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

42 months, i.e. 3.5 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

What are the two specialisations?

Produktgestaltung und -konstruktion (product design and construction) and Maschinen- und Anlagenkonstruktion (machine and plant design). They share common qualifications amounting to 12 months in total.

Is this job just drawing?

No: you also design in 3D, calculate, choose materials and manufacturing processes and prepare assembly documents. Technical drawing is only one part of it.

In the same category

Other trainings: Industry, metalworking and mechanics

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistance Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

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